What is the best way to charge solar powered garden lanterns quickly?

[Shirleyion]

I have a set of solar powered garden lanterns I need to use for a play. The man at the store said to leave them in full sun (I'm in England, so that's never going to happen!) for three days before turning them on. However, I need them before that for rehearsals. Is there a way to quickly and artificially charge solar cells? What sort of artificial light works/works best in charging solar cells?

 

[pushrod]

there is probs rechargeable AA batteries in them - take them out and fully charge them in a battery charger.


edit; they do charge on cloudy days, just make sure the panel on it is at right angles to the direction of the sun (even if it is cloudy). Not sure which wavelength of light they are most reliant on for charging - most light bulbs do not give the same spectrum as sunlight.

 

[WDMDL]

Or, for the purposes of the play, put a couple of AA alkalines in. Just take them out afterwards!
Also, whichever batteries you use, you may also need to cover the solar panels with some gaffer tape or similar, otherwise the stage spotlights may cause the solar lights to go out (they'll think it's daytime!)

Simon.

 

[Wiredspark]

I wouldnt use Solar lights indoors.